The HTC Incredible Isn’t Very Incredible

I was a disgruntled iPhone owner. You know the type. I hated Apple’s walled garden approach to the App Store and their Operating System. For all the luster that is anything Apple there was a certain dullness that started to show. As cool as the iPhone itself was, having to use it, or rather not be able to use it, on AT&T’s network made the iPhone a crippling device.

To say I was lusting for something new and different was an understatement. I wasn’t 100% ready to embrace the android platform because I wasn’t impressed with any of the hardware. Even the “Droid” wasn’t enticing. That was, until the Nexus One came to the market. As an early adopter I was one of the first to plop down $549.00+ for a Nexus One. While it wasn’t a perfectly perfect device, it was awesome and it sold me on the android.

The Nexus One I had was set to be used on AT&T, but I was looking forward to eventually getting a Nexus One that would work on Verizon or Sprint. It became clear that unfortunately the Nexus One was never going to make it to those two carriers. So this left me with two choices…wait for the HTC Evo on Sprint or the HTC Incredible on Verizon. Why those two phones? Because, HTC seems to have a great understanding of user experience and design. Sprint’s poor communication about the Evo’s release date made the HTC Incredible the logical choice.

Apologies for the lengthy history and background, but I wanted you to have context. I’ve had the HTC Incredible for a few weeks now and here’s what I can tell you…

The Good
Verizon’s Network – it’s everything you hoped it would be and more

HTC Sense User Interface – better than the stock google android UI and very intuitive
Android Market – thousands of Apps and total flexibility, for example I have 4 browsers installed

Peep – this is HTC’s Twitter client and it’s great, pre installed and with subtle tweaks could be perfect

The Camera – as has been covered elsewhere, it’s stunning, sharp, smart, vibrant and powerful

The Screen – it’s rich, gorgeous responsive and a joy too look at

Weight – lighter than an iPhone and thinner

The Bad
Battery Life – honestly HTC should be ashamed. The battery they chose is horrendous. Thankfully companies Iike Seido offer an extended battery…albeit at a $60.00 incremental investment. This was poor planning and short sighted.

Form Factor – the Incredible feels cheap and doesn’t wear well. There’s too many plastic pieces that will flake, show every scratch and lose its luster. Inside of a month, the Incredible will look quite average. Oh and yes the visual aesthetics do matter, because how the phone looks is part of the emotional connection we have with the device.

USB Location – it’s a little thing that’s a big thing. The location of the USB power socket is illogical. It should have been at the bottom of the phone like the Nexus One. This would have made charging the phone via a dock at home or via a lighter in the car easier. As it is right now, charging is cumbersome, which is a big time problem when you consider how bad the battery life is.

Is the HTC incredible a nice phone? Yes. But, to call it an iPhone killer or even “incredible” would be a gross over statement. At best it should have been called the HTC Good. I’m bummed, because I was hopeful for something transformational. Instead we got something neat. The Incredible is the best android phone on the market and it’s on the best network. But, that doesn’t mean it’s Incredible.

ripster

Quit whining
retspir

Agree , quite your crying
troy

battery life—while i agree with you, i jus bought 2 batteries and charger for them on ebay for $12…..total. they are for the eris, but i'm fairly confident that the incredible uses the exact same battery. i'll verify it before i use them (and give them to my brother…who has an eris, if they aren't compatible).

from factor—not sure what all these plastic peices are that you refer to? it looks like most other phones to me? aren't they all made mostly from various plastics? i actually like the rubberized plastic that the back is made from. as far as scratching goes….you have to get a case for any of these phones these days. i wasn't thrilled about making it thicker, but i got a red (sort of metallic that matches the red on the speaker and camera lens) case and i think it looks great. and i'm pretty sure that it's still as thin (with the casing) as an iphone (w/o casing).

usb—the motodroid came out with a dock that docks sideways (landscape). it would still be a bit annoying as the homescreen doesn't view in landscape (at least i haven't been able to get it to do so), but at least it could be docked if they come out with one like the moto droid, and most of the other features can be viewed in landscape….particularly if you wanna dock it overnight as your alarm clock. aside from using a dock, i'm not sure why it would be more cumbersome to plug a cord into the side, instead of the bottom? i actually prefer it in the car since the phone is either on the passenger seat (where a left side port is mor convenient) or in a cradle in landscape mode (when using maps for navigation). i guess i prefer the left side port.

“The Incredible is the best android phone on the market and it’s on the best network.” how can you make that statement in a blog you titled “isn't very incredible?” best network….best droid. i'd say it's worthy of it's name…..at least for now….or as my wife told me…”for a month or so, until the incredible infinity, or super iphone, or the dopest phone ever, is released.” lol

keep in mind that i switched from an env touch so ANY smart phone would prolly impress me.
Drew_smith70

A “gross over statement” (sic) because of where the charger plugs in? Really??

The battery is really the only major blemish. With a better battery, a much better phone this would be

And get one of those shells that slide into the clip-on holster for $20. The shell is low profile, has a thatch pattern for a good grip, and it completely protects the phone's case. Use with or without the holster.